Clothed With Power: Jesus, The Baptiser In The Holy Spirit Series

Clothed with Power: Jesus, the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit

Introduction: More Than Forgiven — Empowered

Church, many believers live forgiven but not empowered.

Saved, yet struggling.

Redeemed, yet timid.

We rejoice that Jesus saves us from sin — and rightly so — but Scripture declares something more.

The same Jesus who died for us also longs to fill us, clothe us, and empower us.

My sermon today sits at the very heart of the Foursquare Gospel:

Jesus Christ — Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in the Holy Spirit, and Coming King.

Today, we focus on this glorious truth:

Jesus is the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit.

This is not a secondary doctrine.

This is discipleship power.

This is how ordinary men and women are transformed into bold witnesses for Christ in a hostile world.

In a world of:

• Social media distractions

• Anxiety over the future

• Cultural pressures against holiness

…we cannot rely on human ability.

The Holy Spirit is God’s provision for contemporary discipleship. He equips for:

• Moral courage in the workplace

• Patience in relationships

• Boldness in proclaiming the Gospel

• Perseverance under persecution

Church, discipleship today is not about knowledge alone, but Spirit-led action.

Luke 3:15–16 (NLT): “Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, ‘I baptise you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’”

John the Baptist ministered during intense Messianic expectation under Roman oppression.

Israel longed not merely for forgiveness, but for deliverance and power.

John is clear:

• John’s baptism was a symbol of repentance

• Jesus’ baptism was a symbol of divine empowerment

The word baptise is baptízo, meaning to immerse, overwhelm, saturate.

This is not a sprinkle.

This is not symbolic.

This is a total immersion into the life and power of the Holy Spirit.

Fire speaks of: Purification, Passion, Power, and God’s manifest presence

John says: “I can point you to repentance — but Jesus will clothe you with heaven’s power.”

Point 1: Jesus Alone Is the Baptiser

John 1:32–34 (NLT): “Then John testified, ‘I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptise with water, he told me, “The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.’”

Notice this carefully:

• Pastors do not baptise in the Spirit

• Churches do not baptise in the Spirit

• Methods do not baptise in the Spirit

Jesus does.

This keeps us Christ-centred, not experience-centred.

As John Piper wrote: “The Holy Spirit is not a luxury for the Church; He is the necessity.”

Church, Piper nails it. The Spirit is not an optional upgrade — He is essential equipment for discipleship.

Without Him, we attempt supernatural living with natural strength.

Point 2: The Promise Is for Every Believer

Acts 1:4–5, 8 (NLT): “Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptised with water, but in just a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ … ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”

Notice the sequence Jesus gives His disciples:

1. You are already saved — they have believed, repented, and followed Jesus.

2. You are already commissioned — “You will be my witnesses.”

3. But you are not yet empowered — “Wait… until the Father sends the gift.”

The word power in verse 8 is the Greek dýnamis, from which we get dynamite.

This is explosive, enabling power — not personality, hype, or hype-driven emotion, but divine energy for holy living and bold witness.

This tells us something crucial for discipleship in the 21st century:

Salvation is instantaneous. Empowerment is experiential.

Calling is given immediately. Power must be received.

Imagine buying a brand-new washing machine. It’s installed perfectly. It’s designed to clean clothes. But it’s never plugged in. You can shout at it. You can read the manual. You can even admire it — but nothing happens.

So many Christians are like that.

Installed in church.

Labelled “disciple”.

But unplugged from the power source.